Taking Issue: Pluralism and Casuistry in Bioethics

A collection of recent essays by one of the leading names in bioethics, Baruch Brody discusses four major areas of bioethics--methodology, research ethics, clinical ethics, and Jewish medical ethics--and takes issue with conventional bioethical wisdom to carve out his own niche in the field, a niche that reflects orthodox Judaism, intuitionism, casuistry (case-based decision making), and a strong recognition of pluralism. His positions on animal research, brain death, and clinical trials are controversial and firmly held, leading Brody to be one of the most widely discussed bioethicists of his generation.